“You’re nothing but a dirty, nasty female”

His words rang in my ear

Rang in the air

The venom in his tone flooded the classroom

It seeped through his self-satisfied smirk

 

I could feel the blood flowing through my body

My heart was pumping adrenaline through my veins

Thump thump. Thump thump

I looked him in the eyes

And I broke into a grin

 

“I am,” I said

“I am the dirt swept under the rug

From every rape victim shunned

Every child told

‘It’s our little secret’

 

I am the fire roaring through the hearts

Of all who come before me

All who come after

Every individual told

‘you’ll never amount to anything’

 

I am the female you describe

Awful, icky, vile

Impure, revolting, unclean

Sickening, horrid, vulgar

I am a nasty woman”

 

And he finally sat down.